On Doubt

From A Reading Life, A Writing Life, with Sally Bayley by Sally Bayley, Andrew Smith

May 16, 2026 · 22 min · Episode 95

About this episode

Sally Bayley reflects on the problem of doubt in writing, inspired by her upcoming novel and Lewis Carroll's work.

‘To find a way in, through the door, beyond the doubt…’ This week, we join Sally wrestling with the problem of doubt, having just sent her latest novel, Pond Life, to the printers. Listen for a reflection on writing, the body, and the generative possibilities of doubt, via Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. Pond Life will be published in September 2026 by The New Menard Press, and can be pre-ordered here. The wonderful piano music in the closing section is the appropriately titled ‘Doubt’ by Paul Seba. More information on Paul and his work can be found here. This episode was edited and produced by James Bowen. Special thanks to Andrew Smith, Violet Henderson, Kris Dyer, and Maeve Magnus.

People in this episode

Host: Sally Bayley

Topics covered

doubt
writing
reflection
literature
creativity

Keywords

doubt
writing
Pond Life
Alice in Wonderland
Paul Seba

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The New Menard Press

Books & works: Pond Life, Alice in Wonderland, Doubt